Walking to the start block
Furthermore, Amanda and Emma were going to be at the pool; so the pressure was on. I decided to do a good warmup in the hotel pool then arrive at the competition pool about an hour or so before the race. The warmup went well, and then jumped into a taxi for the pool. This was a different pool, the Nishi Civic Pool, which was about 11 km away - but it was not a temporary one. The men’s and women’s events alternated pools by days. It turned out to be another great pool. I went and got changed, met some other co-crazies and waited for our call. As we were the first series, we were paraded to our start blocks. I kept visualizing the butterfly leg - if I got through that I would be ok. I would also focus on having great turns. Under starters orders and off. I got into a good rhythm and the first 50m went well. I felt comfortable; but at about 80m my arms began to tire. I focused on a good dolphin kick and keeping streamlined. Made it to the turn and onto the backstroke. It turned out that I eased off too much on this leg; which was a mistake. Still, I felt ok and had a good turn onto the Breastroke leg. I felt good and pushed it, using a good leg kick and streamlined pull, gaining some advantage over the swimmers in the adjoining lanes. Finally into the Freestyle leg and the last 100m.
I must have pushed my legs too much on the previous hundred as my legs began to tire and I couldn’t maintain my speed off the 50m turn. Still 50 to go and the end wall was in sight. I touched and looked at the electronic board - 10.03 and a sixth place. I was disappointed at first as I was hoping to swim under 10’; but on the other hand that was 23’ faster than my previous time for the 400m IM this year for a 50m pool! My date with the Black Widow was over.
The Backstroke leg
On getting out of the pool I learnt that one of the other swimmers was disqualified; so I placed 5th. The swimmer in Lane 4 set a World Record in the 75+ age group. WOW! Interestingly, there was a relatively large number of disqualifications in the Individual Medley even in the faster heats.
I had swum my last race at the World Masters Championships. It felt strange and yet gave me an incredible sense of achievement. Overall I was pleased with my times; but most of all what an experience! Now I could relax and enjoy the rest of our holiday in Japan.
This was my journey to Kyushu, to raise funds for my sister’s projects in Uganda. Thank you.all who have donated; but the journey doesn’t end here… 😉
Final touch - massive relief!
Fifth in my series
The Rwenzori Health Swim Challenge
Competition Day 2, 7 August 2023
Me and The Black Widow ❤️ So today was going to be my last competitive race - the 400m Individual Medley. I had also swum a QT for the 50m Breaststroke; but that was going to be the very last race of the Championships, 5 days later; so I had decided not to register for it. The 400m IM had been playing on my mind and felt the most nervous of all the races. I had swum it at my local pool, which is 50m, a couple of times; but the times were way over the QT of 9’.47”. I managed to swim a QT of 9.43 at a regional competition in June; but that was in a 25m pool - and turns make all the difference.
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